A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to appropriate funds to the department of health and human services, division of mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse services, in order to increase community services for the treatment of non‑medicaid eligible individuals diagnosed with mental illness, intellectual or developmental disabilities, or substance abuse disorders.
Whereas, from 2001 to 2012, the total population of North Carolina increased from 8,203,734 to 9,781,022 persons; and
Whereas, combined, the total number of North Carolina residents in need of services for mental illness, intellectual or developmental disabilities, or substance abuse (MI/IDD/SA) increased from 981,949 in 2001, which is approximately 12% of the general population, to 1,373,454 in 2012, which is approximately 14% of the general population; and
Whereas, in spite of the increasing number of North Carolina residents in need of MH/IDD/SA services, the total amount of State and federal funds appropriated to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services, for community MH/IDD/SA services for the 2012‑2013 fiscal year is $78,000,000 less than the amount appropriated to the Department for these purposes in the 1999‑2000 fiscal year; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services, the sum of seventy‑eight million dollars ($78,000,000) for the 2013‑2014 fiscal year and the sum of seventy‑eight million dollars ($78,000,000) for the 2014‑2015 fiscal year. These funds shall be used for the following purposes:
(1)	To provide community services for the treatment of individuals diagnosed with mental illness, intellectual or developmental disabilities, or substance abuse disorders, who are not eligible for Medicaid.
(2)	To provide community services that are not eligible for Medicaid reimbursement to individuals diagnosed with mental illness, intellectual or developmental disabilities, or substance abuse disorders.
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2013.